SPORTS equipment manufacturer Harrod UK, which is based in Lowestoft, has supplied on-pitch kit for a test event being held ahead of this summer's Olympic hockey tournament.

The Visa International Invitational Hockey Tournament is being held at the Riverbank Arena, within the Olympic Park complex at Stratford, starting today and concluding with medal play-off matches on Sunday.

It features the Great Britain men's and women's sides, together with Australia, Germany and India in the men's event and Argentina, China and Korea in the women's, and is expected to attract around 60,000 spectators.

The event is being used by the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) to test key operations ahead of this summer's games, including tests on the field of play, video referral, timing, scoring and pitch equipment.

Harrod UK has supplied a range of equipment for teams and officials including a number of new designs on show for the first time, such 'London Blue' hockey goals, team and officials' shelters and a unique range of hockey storage equipment.

Les Saunders, sales and marketing director at Harrod UK, said huge interest had been shown the the company's equipment from visiting teams and officials.

'A home Olympic Games will only happen once in most people's lifetime,' he added. 'To have the opportunity of showcasing our company, equipment and capabilities at this level is simply fantastic'